Monday, September 28, 2009

A fascinating - and ultimately disturbing - case out of New Hampshire has a father using his child as a weapon against the mother post-divorce. Certainly nothing extraordinary there; I see the described situation nearly every day that I happen into a civil court where divorce matters are being litigated (whether they be juvenile matters, orders of protection, or other legal maneuvers that are ancillary to divorce proceedings).

What is interesting is the objection of the father. He doesn't want his child homeschooled by the mother. He thinks homeschoolers don't have enough social interaction and that will ultimately harm the child.

The judge found the 10 year old girl to be likable, socially developed, and intellectually advanced, testing well above her age-level.

He then ordered her into public school. (Guess that will bring her back to the pack, huh, judge?) The bottom line is that the judge found the mother to be too religious - and it was rubbing off on her child.

ASIDE: Where is NOW on this issue? Surely this is a violation of a woman's right to choose, right? Does it matter that she's choosing to educate at home and expose her child to religion? Isn't that a fundamental right?

American Disloyalty

"Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran's neighbors and our allies. The Czech Republic and Poland have been courageous in agreeing to host a defense against these missiles. As long as the threat from Iran persists, we will go forward with a missile defense system that is cost-effective and proven. If the Iranian threat is eliminated, we will have a stronger basis for security, and the driving force for missile defense construction in Europe will be removed." - President Obama, April 5, 2009.

"I think we are fully capable and secure dealing with any present or future potential Iranian threat.. The whole purpose of this exercise we are undertaking is to diminish the prospect of the Iranians destabilizing that region in the world. I am less concerned -- much less concerned -- about the Iranian potential. They have no potential at this moment, they have no capacity to launch a missile at the United States of America." - Vice President Joe Biden, September 17, 2009.

I certainly hope that I am not the only one who sees the irony that today, September 17, 2009, is the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Red Army's successful invasion of Poland at the Kresy, and that on today, September 17, 2009, President Obama has cowardly sent 4 of his minions to Poland to inform our former friends that will no longer consider their safety a priority.

I know that the focus for our country has been domestic as of late, as President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Max Baucus try desperately to destroy economic and social freedom in this country by the end of the year, but the action by Obama to turn America's back on our former allies is the largest foreign policy shift in recent times. No longer are we on the side of Great Britain, Germany, Poland, and so many of the other members of NATO and Eastern Europe who joined our causes, such as the war on terror, over the years. They have been replaced, because this maneuver puts us in bed with such countries as Russia, North Korea, Iran, China, and Venezuela, all who have spoken out against the missile defense shield and the prospects of America being able to defend itself and its allies from attack.

The tin-foil hat club that follows Obama as if he were the Pied Piper of Chicagoland will call this hyperbole and ridiculous, but I assure you that what Obama did today hurts our standing with our allies more than anything that President Bush ever did. Not that I care what they think, because I would be more interested in what people like Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Tony Blair, and Angela Merkel feel about America turning its back on our friends.

And when you're reading Biden's quote above, keep in mind that it came out today that Iran does have the capacity to create a nuclear warhead. The International Atomic Energy Agency says so. Sorry, Joe, but you're timing - as usual - couldn't be worse.

Friday, September 11, 2009

The Fraying of the Ties That Bind

We're one day from a big game for UT football, so a large part of me does not want to dwell on the negative today. However, I've been quiet too long on our national trend towards self-destruction.

Pat Buchanan authored a great column that mirrors the analysis that I have been contemplating over the past few months. Buchanan focuses on the divergent opinions of the American public, yes, but he focuses mostly on how the reactions to these differences are dividing this country into different groups and sects.

Buchanan hits the nail on the head, but he could go further. I would say that these differences are causing great changes in our geographic demography. People with similar views are congregating in the same states. The statist media's attempts to make the American public think that there are few "red" and "blue" states but only a bunch of "purple states," but this is not the truth.

That's why, over the past 6 months or so, I have moved towards a startling conclusion (at least from my perspective) - the United States of America, comprised of 50 states in one federal union, is unlikely to survive my lifetime. At this point - given the brazen attempts by the current administration to socialize this country, end capitalism, and torch the freedoms that this country's founders fought and died for - it is not far-fetched to believe that at least one state decides that it's tired of being bullied by a federal government that asks for more but provides less, rewards laziness and excuses but penalizes hard work, and strips citizens of their individual rights and replaces them with more government bureaucracy.

This isn't 1861, folks. Anyone who thinks that states like Texas and Florida couldn't go it alone economically - or that smaller states like South Carolina and Georgia couldn't form confederations with other states of similar values and geography - aren't using their imagination. This isn't a case where the industrialized North has an advantage over the agricultural South. Times have changed. Technology has changed.

I'm not saying that I support secession. My more-recent ancestors fought for this country and its rich history and promise. But to think that what my generation never contemplated - that this country becomes so unrecognizable in its current state when compared to what America has been over its history - could become reality is shocking.

Change has come, for sure. And it seems to be intent on tearing this country apart.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

A Big Orange Tuesday

Things are looking up on ole Rocky Top after Saturday's pasting of Western Kentucky.

First, word surfaced from out of the guys at Volquest.com that 4-star quarterback Tyler Bray, who had witnessed firsthand the resurgence of the Big Orange against the Hilltoppers, had decommitted from San Diego State and was now headed to Knoxville to play his high school ball. Bray, who stands at 6'6" and weighs in currently at just over 200 lbs., burst on to the recruiting scene after stellar performances at summer football camps, taking home the overall MVP award at the elite Ultimate 100 camp and outperforming other UT targets like Jesse Scroggins, Blake Bell, and Barry Brunetti at the Elite 11 QB camp. Bray is rated the 6th best pro-style QB in the nation by Rivals and the 115th best overall player in America. Bray is striving to gain another 20 lbs. of muscle before arriving in Knoxville next January as a mid-term enrollee.

(For those in Knoxville, it was quite funny to listen to infamous Volquest stalker/Knoxville News Sentinel sports reporter Dave Hooker on his radio show today. Hooker continued to swear on the air that Bray was not committed to UT throughout the day, all in the face of stories on Volquest - complete with quotes from Tyler himself - that verified Bray's commitment to the Big Orange. I just find it funny that the KNS can't seem to have any "inside sources" despite their best attempts, while Volquest.com continues to scoop the Knoxville newspaper at nearly every turn. For orange-blooded fanatics like myself, the $9.95 per month that buys a subscription to Volquest is a no-brainer when compared to the alternative.)

Then came this quote from Coach Lane Kiffin - a call to arms, if you will - aimed at the Big Orange Nation that will be welcoming UCLA to Neyland Stadium this Saturday:

"We really need our fans. We need our stadium to be rockin'. We need our stadium to understand that we need them on all defensive plays, but especially third downs.

"Here's a quarterback making his first start on the road. Here's a left-tackle making his first start on the road vs. a great right end (Chris Walker). Here's a junior-college guard making his first start on the road. We need a our fans a lot, we need our stadium to be rockin' to help us win this game."

Hopefully, UT fans can grow off of a very good crowd (given the start time and opponent) from this past Saturday and create an environment similar to the one that California experienced 3 years ago when they made the cross-country trip to Neyland Stadium.

Finally, another Eric Berry for Heisman video is out. This one was debuted at the Western Kentucky game, and it was a crowd-pleaser. Catchy tune, for sure.

Friday, September 04, 2009

It's Football Time in Tennessee

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

It's Time

This week has a great deal going for it. The weather has been incredible. The U.S. Open has begun play. Boomsday is just around the corner. There is so much to be thankful for.

And if you're a college football fan, a long, draining summer is coming to an end. Good times are coming, beginning with South Carolina's game to kick things off on Thursday night and rolling right through Labor Day weekend.

I have to admit - I don't think I have ever been so excited for the start of UT's football season. It certainly has something to do with the passion and the energy that the new staff, led by Head Coach Lane Kiffin, have brought to Knoxville. It's palpable, like the electricity in the air before a storm. I've felt it here before, but that was quite some time ago. Perhaps some of what I am feeling has to do with the level of openness that Coach Kiffin has brought to the program. I've been able to see my Vols practice and participate in scrimmages, even chat it up at Neyland with some of the players on my birthday.

Western Kentucky - I almost feel sorry for them. They have no idea what is coming. From their senior QB who has never started a game to their nose tackle that weighs in at 260 pounds, let's hope that they don't live up to their ranking as the 120th ranked team out of the 120 Division 1-A football teams. Of course, I don't feel sorry for them, since they signed to play the game and will be compensated well for their trouble.